Passport to Texas

Unwrap the Wild, image courtesy www.mattskoog.com

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This is Passport to Texas

Nature is a gift we give ourselves the moment we step outside. Share the beauty and Unwrap the Wild; give the gift of the Texas outdoors to others w/a state park pass.

12-This is the second year that we’ve launched Unwrap the Wild. And it’s an opportunity to give back to Texas by supporting your state parks, and to provide friends, family, loved ones–or yourself–with an annual parks pass.

Anne (Annie) Brown is executive director with the Texas Parks and Wildlife foundation, the official non-profit partner of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. During Unwrap the Wild a park pass only costs sixty-five dollars.

12-Which is five dollars off what they usually cost. In addition, they can be purchased online and mailed directly here from our offices in Dallas to individuals for a holiday gift.

Ninety state parks–many within a 90 minute drive or less for most of us–provide pass holders outdoor adventures that are close, convenient, and available a
full 365 days.

13-We launch our Unwrap the Wild on November third, and it will run through December 19th, to make sure that we can get all the park passes to homes before the holiday is here.

Pass holders have a year from the day they redeem their certificate to use their State Parks Pass for waived entry fees for themselves and all the guests in their vehicle. Find details at tpwf.org.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Giant spider web at Lake Towakani. Donna Garde, © Texas Parks and Wildlife Department

Halloween Hijinks in State Parks Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Texas State Parks and Historic sites are pulling out the stops for Halloween.

13— There are some pretty unique events. Eisenhower State Park up on the Texas / Oklahoma border, for example, is having a Zombie Apocalypse Hike. So, it’s an opportunity to not only get outdoors, but to learn some survival skills.

Survival skills like, maybe, how to outrun zombies so they don’t eat your brains? Thomas Wilhelm, with state parks, says to expect more traditional activities as well.

23—Lake Tawakoni has Boo in the park, which is just trick-or-treat through the campground area. Fort Richardson is having a contest; their friends group is offering a hundred dollar prize for the best decorated campsite. Estero Llano Grande in the valley is having their ninth annual spooky science fest. The theme this year is Jurassic Estero; so, dinosaurs, costumes and all sorts of fun opportunities.

Most Texans live 90 minutes or less from a state park or historic site, making Halloween fun convenient, safe and affordable.

13—Most of these events are included with your park entrance. A few that are having special events are having either specials pricing—some there are no fees. Some are doing special per car pricing. Contact a park beforehand if you have questions about pricing.

Find a full schedule of Halloween and fall events in State Parks by region at texasstateparks.org/holidays.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Tossing a “ghost” through a ring is just one of the kid-friendly activities offered in the fright-free area at Halloween at the Hatchery.

Halloween in State Parks Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

This is Passport to Texas

Life is unpredictable, unless, of course, it’s October. That’s because in October you can always predict a spell of Halloween hijinks at Texas State Parks and Historic Sites.

08—You’ll find Halloween events in every corner of the state from far El Paso down to the Gulf, up to far North Texas.

Thomas Wilhelm is with state parks. He says there will, of course be trick-or-treating in the parks.

15—But there are also some other events—educational type events like: Not so Creepy Critters, where you can learn about spiders and owls and bugs. And then some downright spooky events, like the Wake of Henry Fanthorp at Fanthorp Inn. That event is 10 years old and up.

Historic sites will offer some of the more intriguing Halloween programs, suitable for mature audiences.

10—Battleship Texas is doing an event called The Seedier Side of Battleship Texas, where they talk about some of the shenanigans on board. And that’s a twenty-one and up only event.

Well, we are talking about shenanigans, after all. State Parks and Historic sites; who knew, right? Find a full schedule of Halloween and fall events in State Parks by region at texasstateparks.org/holidays.

That’s our show for today… Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Fireworks Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center;Image from KYTX-TV, Tyler

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Celebrate our Nation’s Independence this weekend at a nearby Texas State Park. Parks throughout the state are offering a variety of activities for the whole family July Fourth.

Celebrate the 4th of July the old fashioned way at the Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm at LBJ State Park in Johnson City in the Texas Hill Country. Cavort with the chickens and cows and see re-enactors in action; yes, there was life before smart phones.

In East Texas, Daingerfield State Park will be hosting a Dutch oven cook-off competition on July 4th. Prizes will be awarded for best Main Dish, Dessert, and Kid’s Cooked Dish.

Martin Dies, Jr. State Park, also in East Texas, wants you to bring your decorated bike, trike, strollers and wagons for a patriotic parade around the Park on July fourth. The Parade begins at 10:30 am and travels around the Bee Tree and Broken Bowl campsites/shelter area. Campers are encouraged to decorate their sites and stand outside to cheer on the cyclists. Stay afterwards for games and hot dogs.

And if a July Fourth firework display is what you’re after, find them at the birthplace of Texas– Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site–as well as the Texas Fresh Water Fishers Center in Athens.

That’s our show–Funding provided in part by Ram Trucks. Guts. Glory. Ram

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti.

Enjoy the holidays at State Parks and Historic Sites

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You don’t have to travel far to find holiday events in state parks, but Thomas Wilhelm says, if you do have the time, how about a road trip December 16, to Far West Texas and Fort Leaton.

17—For this Christmas, Fort Leaton will be having a Posada, which is the recreation of Mary and Joseph’s trip through Bethlehem. But, there’s also going to be a performance by a local choir; so, it’s going to tell the holiday story with that area of the state’s culture in mind.

Palo Duro Canyon in the Panhandle is another far flung destination. On December 20, it offers a new holiday event worth the drive.

18—It’s called their Hot Air Balloon Glow. So, they’re going to bring balloons into the canyon and light them up. Of course, there’s going to be other traditional holiday events: hot cocoa, snacks – that sort of thing. Santa Claus will be there for the kids. So, it will be a really unique opportunity to not only experience Palo Duro Canyon, but really put a holiday feel to it.

If you prefer to celebrate nature, Central Texas’ McKinney Falls December 20 & 21 is the place to be.

14—They’re doing a Winter Solstice Celebration. So, they’ll have opportunities for kids to join with a ranger and do hikes, or nature themed crafts and activities. So, it’s a great opportunity to touch base with nature during the holidays.

Find a full list of holiday events on the Texas Parks and Wildlife website.

For Texas Parks and Wildlife…I’m Cecilia Nasti